20 Battery Royal Artillery is a British Air Defence Battery and is one of the five Batteries that make up 16th Regiment Royal Artillery. Both the Battery and 16th Regiment use the Rapier Field Standard C air defence missile system, the last Regiment in the British Armed Forces to do so. 20 Battery Royal Artillery has a long and proud history that can be dated back to its formation on the 1st of January 1771. The Battery has been involved in a number of conflicts and is still heavily involved in current operations. In recent years 20 Battery has deployed to the Falkland Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Contents
Designations/names
01/01/1771 Formed as 7th (Johnstones) Company 4th Battalion
1859 Renamed 6 Battery, 10 Brigade
01/07/1877 Renamed 8 Battery, 9 Brigade.
01/04/1882 Renamed 1 Battery, 1 Brigade Scottish Division
01/07/1889 Renamed 7 Battery, Southern Division
01/08/1891 Renamed 7 Company, Southern Division
01/06/1899 Renamed 7 Company RGA, Southern Division RGA
01/01/1902 Renamed 14 Company RGA
31/08/1918 Became Part of No 6 Fire Command RGA
30/06/1920 Became Part of HQ Golden Hill
04/09/1920 Became Part of F Coast Battery RGA
10/04/1922 Renamed Y Coast Battery RGA
01/05/1924 Renamed 15 Heavy AA Battery
01/03/1928 Absorbed 34 Heavy Battery
14/12/1940 Renamed 15 Coast Battery
Renamed 15 HAA Battery
01/04/1947 Renamed 20 HAA Battery
1955 Renamed 20 Medium Battery
1961 Renamed 20 (Amphibious Operations) Battery, 95 Regiment
1964 Renamed 20 Light Battery
1965 Renamed 20 Commando (Amphibious Operations) Battery
1988 G Troop formed
1990 20 (Commando) Battery reformed
2004 Renamed 20 Battery Royal Artillery, 16 Regiment RA
Battery Commanders
01/01/1771 - 01/12/1782 Captain W. Johnstone (Promoted to Lt. Colonel)
01/12/1782 – 21/05/1790 Captain T. Hare (Transferred to invalid Bn)
21/05/1790 – 25/09/1796 Captain T. Seaward (Promoted to Major)
25/09/1796 – 03/03/1797 Captain C. W. Thornton (Transferred to Invalid Bn)
04/03/1797 – 16/07/1799 Captain E. Trelawney (Appointed to C Tp RHA)
16/07/1799 – 01/10/1799 Captain S. C. Parry (Exchanged with G. Wulff 2 Bn)
01/01/1799 – 20/07/1804 Captain G. Wulff (Promoted to Major)
20/07/1804 – 24/03/1817 Captain J. T. Caddy (Promoted to Major)
24/03/1817 – 1820 Captain A. Bredin (Exchanged with G. Turner)
1820 – 26/12/1824 Captain G. Turner (Appointed to E Tp RHA)
26/12/1824 – 03/071830 Captain W. Greene (Suspended for being AWOL)
03/07/1830 – 13/04/1842 Captain F. R. Chesney (Promoted to Lt. Colonel) (Tigris and Euprhates Expedition)
13/04/1842 – 27/05/1850 Captain D. Thorndike (Promoted to Lt. Colonel)
27/05/1842 – 26/01/1855 Captain J. H. Lefroy (Appointed Sec to RA Institution)
26/01/1855 – Captain S. R. Robinson
Although appointed on 26/01/1855 did not assume command until later, and Captain A.C. L. Fitzroy assumed command until his death.
26/01/1855 – 10/09/1855 Captain A.C.L. Fitzroy (Died of his Wounds at Sebastopol, mentioned twice for Gallentry)
01/01/1862 – 01/08/1862 Captain C. Carpenter (Acting Command)
oooooooooo - 05/08/1864 Captain S.R. Robinson (Promoted to Lt. Colonel)
05/08/1864 – Captain H.S. Elliot
Taken ill and shipped back to the UK G.U. Knox assumed temporary command.
01/10/1866 – 08/05/1868 Captain G. U. Knox (Acting command)
oooooooooo - 11/07/1867 Captain H.S. Elliot (Replaced 11/07, went onto half pay 24/07. Died 28/12.)
11/07/1867 – 02/02/1868 Captain F.G. Ravenhill (Posted, never arrived at Bty Knox remained in command until his replacement arrived)
08/05/1868 – oooooooooo Captain J. T. Daubuz
Taken sick on 10/12/1869 and returned to the UK and did not return to the Bty. Lt. B. A. Ogle assumed acting command until his death, acting command was then assumed by Lt S. Simpson, until J.T. Daubuz died.
10/12/1869 – 23/04/1870 Lt. B. A. Ogle (Acting Command, died 23/04)
23/04/1870 – 14/03/1871 Lt. S. Simpson (Acting Command)
oooooooooo - 14/03/1871 Captain J. T. Daubuz (Died 14/03)
15/03/1871 - oooooooooo Captain F.G. Baylay
Assumed although appointed an 15/03/1871 did not arrive until 29/06/1872. Lt W. H. M. Duthie assumed acting command until the arrival of Captain A.J. Rait on 17/02/1872 who then assumed acting command, until F.G. Baylay’s arrival.
15/03/1871 – 17/02/1872 Lt W.H.M. Duthie (Acting Command)
17/02/1872 – 29/06/1872 Captain A.J. Rait (Acting Command)
oooooooooo - 27/07/1875 Captain F.G. Baylay (Posted)
27/07/1875 – 14/08/1875 Captain W.J.R. Harrison 15/08/1875 – 11/1877 Major R. Sandham (Exchanged with H. Brackenbury)
11/1877 - oooooooooo Major H. Brackenbury
Went on leave leaving Captain T. A Davies in command, Lt Vibart was in command 08/1878 – 09/1878, Captain T. W. Bridges assumed command 10/1878 – 11/1878 whereupon Lt Vibart took over from 12/1878 – 02/1879 was relieved by Lt M’Q Mcleod until Major Townsend arrived
02/1878 – 03/1878 Captain T.A. Davies (Acting Command)
08/1878 – 09/1878 Lt F.M.E. Vibart (Acting Command)
10/1878 – 11/1878 Captain T. W. Bridges (Acting Command)
11/1878 – 02/1879 Lt F.M.E. Vibart (Acting Command)
02/1878 – 09/1879 Lt R.G. M’Q Mcleod (Acting Command)
ooooooo - 09/1879 Major H. Brackenbury (Staff College)
09/1879 – 1880 Major C.W. Townsend (Exchanged with L.W.Taylor)
1880 – 23/05/1884 Major L.W. Taylor (Appointed to G/A RHA)
23/05/1884 - oooooooooo Major P.K.L. Beaver
Appointed from half pay and did not arrive until 09/1884, Captain B. Burton assumed acting command until his arrival. Major Beaver went on leave from 06/1887 – 10/1887 Captain J.T. Johnston assumed Acting command until 09/1884, when Major Beaver retired to become a remount agent in Calcutta.
23/05/1884 – 09/1884 Captain B. Burton (Acting Command)
06/1887 – 09/1887 Captain J.T. Johnston (Acting Command)
09/1887 – 09/1887 Captain E.A.P. Hobday (Acting Command)
ooooooo - 25/05/1889 Major P.K.L. Beaver (Retired to become remount agent in Calcutta)
25/05/1889 – oooooooooo Captain E.A.P. Hobday
08/1889 - 03/01/1889 Captain R.A.K. Montgomery (Acting Command)
oooooooooo - 03/01/1889 Captain E.A.P. Hobday (Transferred to 55 FieldBattery)
03/01/1889 – 27/01/1889 Lt H.B. Foote (Acting Command)
27/01/1889 – 28/02/1894 Captain G. Wright 28/02/1894 – 05/12/1896 Captain H.S. Dawkins (Transferred to 26 Field Bty)
05/12/1896 – 03/09/1897 Captain F. Potts (Acting Command)
03/09/1897 – 19/10/1897 Lt L.B.S. Christie (Acting Command)
19/10/1897 – 02/1898 Captain W.B.R. Sandys (Acting Command)
02/1898 - 12/11/1898 Major J.T. Johnston (Appointed DAAG RA Ireland)
12/11/1898 – 12/01/1899 Captain W.B.R. Sandys (Acting Command)
12/01/1899 – 28/06/1901 Major C.A. Howard (Transferred to 25 West Div)
28/06/1901 – 09/1905 Major Brownlow (Appointed to 2 MTN Bty RGA)
09/1905 - 03/04/1908 Major H.F. Head (Appointed as Director of Ordinance and Commandant of permanent forces in New Zealand)
03/04/1908 - ?? Captain T.S.N. Hardinge (Acting Command)
?? - 11/12/1908 Major W.H. Robinson (Posted to 95 Coy RGA)
11/12/1908 – 23/12/1908 Captain T.S.N Hardinge (Acting Command)
23/12/1908 – 01/01/1914 Major C.O. Smeaton
01/01/1914 – 10/05/1915 Major Fowler
10/05/1914 – 26/05/1917 Major J.A. Williams
26/05/1917 – 26/08/1917 Captain R.G. Bignall
26/08/1917 – 24/11/1917 Major F.J.N Smyth
24/11/1917 – 25/05/1918 Captain E.A.E Hall
29/05/1918 – 26/10/1918 Captain C.J. Buckland
26/10/1918 – 01/01/1919 Captain E.A.E. Hall
01/01/1919 – 01/01/1920 Lt Colonel N.E.B. Bellairs
01/01/1920 – 04/09/1920 Lt Colonel Corbett
04/09/1920 - oooooooooo Major M.H.C. Bird
01/01/1939 – 01/08/1945 Major G.R. Johnston
01/08/1945 – 11/05/1946 Major G.F. Cane
11/05/1946 – 25/05/1946 Major G.C. Moody
25/05/1946 – 01/06/1946 Major W.H.S. Crackle
01/06/1946 – 17/08/1946 Major G.C. Moody
17/08/1946 – 01/04/1947 Major R.P.H. Walter
01/04/1947 – 01/01/1948 Major H.L.G. Livingston
06/05/1948 – 19/05/1948 Captain A. Clewes
19/05/1948 – 01/01/1949 Captain A. Howe
01/01/1948 – 27/07/1949 Captain A. Clewes
27/07/1949 – 01/09/1951 Major (Sir) H.F.C. Farrington
01/09/1951 – 31/08/1954 Major V. Womersley
31/08/1951 – 01/02/1955 Major O.R. Jenkins
01/02/1955 – 16/07/1955 Major D.O. Griffiths (Formerly the BK)
16/07/1955 – 17/04/1956 Major L.G. Wilkes
17/04/1955 – 04/05/1958 Major P.F. Palmer
04/05/1958 – 13/03/1960 Major K.D. Davidson M.C.
13/03/1960 – 20/12/1961 Major N.G. Scotter
20/12/1961 – 01/10/1963 Major D.R. Francis M.C.
01/10/1963 – 09/11/1964 Major M. Lochhead
09/11/1964 – 06/07/1965 Major K.R.H. Eve
06/07/1965 – 01/09/1966 Major J.M. Rogers
01/09/1966 – 01/07/1968 Major D.G. Anderson
01/07/1968 – 01/03/1970 Major R.A. Rodick
01/03/1970 – 01/04/1970 Major K.R.H. Eve
01/04/1970 – 01/05/1971 Major R.A. Preedy
Suspended Animation
10/1988 G Troop formed, under command of Captain M.G. Flannagan (formally of 20 Commando (AO) Battery).
01/09/1989 Major R.P. Lungmuss tasked with reforming 20 Battery with Captain Flannagan.
01/04/1990 G Troop becomes part of resurrected 20 Battery under the command of.
01/04/1990 – 01/12/1991 Major R.P. Lungmuss
01/12/1991 – 07/02/1994 Major T. Marjot
07/02/1994 – 10/11/1996 Major N.C. Best
10/11/1996 – 01/2000 Major T. M. Wood
01/2000 – 03/2002 Major S. Atkinson
03/2002 – 06/2004 Major S. D. Fraser
History
Formation and the American Wars 1771 - 1812
The Battery was formed as 7 (Johnstone's) Company of the 4th Battalion RA in Woolwich in 1771 under Captain William Johnstone RA. The 4th Battalion was posted to New York shortly after its formation, relieving elements of the other Battalions stationed in North America. From here the Company was sent to Pensacola in the British colony of West Florida and Captain Johnstone was appointed the CRA for the colony. Whilst the bulk of the Battalion became heavily involved in the growing tensions and violence in the Northern Colonies 7 (Johnstone’s) Company were left largely untroubled in Florida.
The colonies of East and West Florida had been Spanish possessions until the 1760’s when they were taken by Great Britain. The defences of these colonies and their cities, including Pensacola, had been seriously neglected under the Spanish rule resulting in British forces having to spend a huge amount of time and money attempting to bring them up to standard. For this reason Captain Johnstone became heavily involved with the planning and construction of the batteries and fortifications around Pensacola during his time there. Detachment (military) from the company were also stationed in Augusta and Baton Rouge during their time in Florida.
Captain Johnstone and some of the senior ranks within the Company became involved in the training of gunners from the German Regiment of Waldeck (part of the garrison) in field Gunnery, it was hoped that this would enable them to be more versatile. The Company remained in West Florida, the sole unit of the Royal Artillery in the southernmost colonies as the American War of Independence raged in the north. Whilst the war had not yet spread to West Florida the men of the Company had to endure terrible hardships with tropical heat and a volatile relationship with the native tribes making things worse. During this period the city began to fill up with loyalist refugees fleeing from the rebel mobs and looters in the neighbouring colonies, including the famous “Kings Ranger” Lt Col Thomas Brown. The fortunes of the company changed at the end of 1778 with the launch of an expedition by British forces to liberate the southern colonies, staging from Florida and pushing through South Carolina and Georgia. Loyalist support was far stronger in these states than in the north and it was hoped that the restoration of the crown in the south would remove the rebel threat to loyalist families and homes freeing up the population to swell the British ranks.
With forces newly arrived from New York and reinforced with soldiers from Pensacola’s Garrison the Army began their campaign. 7 (Johnstone’s) Company was attached to the force as the only gunners and joined the second column commanded by General Augustine Prevost. The campaign was a success and, with the Rebel Armies routed, British dominance was assured for several years. The company fought at a number of battles in this campaign and were commanded by Captain Johnstone throughout. These battles included Briars Creek, Stono Ferry, the Siege of Fort Morris in Sunbury and a number of minor engagements. The company was instrumental in the victories on each occasion. At the battle of Stono Ferry the future President Andrew Jackson’s older brother was killed and this is believed to be the main reason behind his long standing hatred of Britain. One of the officers from the Company was also appointed CRA later in the campaign for the siege of Charleston, which resulted in the largest single surrender of American forces during the war.
Captain Johnstone then returned with his company to Florida where they remained and where concerns of a Spanish attack on the colony increased. As a result of this threat Captain Johnstone received re-enforcements in the form of a detachment from another company within the Battalion which were placed under his command in Augusta. Finally in May 1781 a combined Franco Spanish force of over 10’000 men under General Galvez arrived in the harbour thus beginning the Siege of Pensacola.
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The garrison of just over 900 men consisting of 16th Regiment of Foot, 60th Regiment of Foot, The Regiment of Waldeck, 7 (Johnstone’s) Company, various loyalist regiments in addition to a large number of natives from the Creek and Chicksaw tribes held out against this force for weeks awaiting reinforcements from Jamaica. There were a number of sorties led to attempt to disrupt enemy siege works which the Company participated in, these sorties included Indians who terrified Spanish Forces. Unfortunately a chance shot hit the main powder Magazine (artillery) in the Queens Redoubt whilst soldiers from a loyalist Battalion were being issued ammunition causing a massive explosion and killing over 100 men. When the smoke cleared a gaping breach had been blown in the walls, surprising the Spanish as much as the defenders. Captain Johnstone and his men were mentioned in dispatches for their bravery in rushing to the breach and bringing up a gun, holding off the enemy forces and enabling the wounded to be carried off. They continued fighting until the walls were too badly damaged to bring the guns to bear and finally the Garrison raised the white flag.
The General commanding the garrison of Pensacola singled out Captain Johnstone and his company on several occasions in dispatches for their bravery and energy in engaging the enemy during the siege. It is also important to note that of all the units in the garrison 7 (Johnstone’s) Company were the only unit not to suffer desertions during the siege. After the articles of surrender were signed the Company were transported by Spanish ships to the British garrison at New York where they remained until the end of the war. The company was then sent to Canada where they spent time in a number of garrisons. Captain Johnstone was posted away on his promotion to Colonel and the Company found themselves based in Quebec at the outbreak of the war of 1812. Not much is known as yet about the company’s role during this war, although we do know that the new commander was on the board of a well documented court martial of a junior officer for cowardice.
The Tigris and Euphrates Expedition and the Siege of Sevastopol 1812 - 1900
The Company had a variety of postings after the war and were based in Malta when Captain Francis Rawdon Chesney took command after his predecessor was posted AWOL. This new commander launched an epic expedition that went with the blessing of the then Prime Minister the Duke of Wellington and after a private audience with the King. Taking a detachment of men from the Company as well as scientists and engineers from across Great Britain he set out with two steamers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, which he dismantled and carried across the desert to the rivers that were their namesake. From there he attempted to prove the rivers navigable and thus establish an over land route to the Indian Ocean via Basra. He faced a variety of challenges and hostility from local tribes, but the books he published on the tribes, customs and geography of the region were ground breaking. For this and his earlier endeavours he received the Royal Geographical Society Gold Medal, one of the first to do so, having also received the acting rank of Colonel for the duration of the expedition.
Although Great Britain decided against following through on his research the French did in the form of the Suez Canal and its builder Ferdinand de Lesseps hailed Francis Rawdon Chesney as the father of the Suez at the public celebrations in Paris. Francis Rawdon Chesney went on to become a General and wrote numerous books. During this period the Battery absorbed two other Batteries, including 34 Battery RA.
After this brief foray into the world of exploration the Battery had a number of other postings before being sent to fight at the siege of Sevastopol during which the then Battery Commander Captain Fitzroy was twice mentioned in despatches for his bravery. Unfortunately he received a musket ball to the spine whilst in the trenches and died a day later.
The World Wars, Cuba, Korea, the Commando role and going into Suspended Animation 1900 - 1969
After this the Battery seems to have travelled the world until the first world war when they were based as ‘Y’ Coastal Defence Battery on the Isle of Wight. During the inter war years the Battery was posted to the British colony of Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) where they fought during the Second World War as 15 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery and were responsible for a number of Japanese aircraft kills during the fierce air battle over the Colony.
After the Second World War the Battery was renumbered and rerolled as an Amphibious Operations Battery. They were posted to Hong Kong becoming 20 Commando (AO) Battery RA as part of 29 Commando Regiment RA fulfilling the same role as 148 Commando (AO) Battery RA did within 95 Commando Regiment RA. Due to the fact that only 20 and 148 Batteries fulfilled the AO roll there was a lot of movement between them, most men having served in both. The Battery absorbed 3 (AO) Troop RA on their move to Hong Kong and was involved in a number of operations including the Korean war and a little known operation in the Caribbean during the Cuban missile crisis. The Battery was involved in clearing Russian, American and Cuban personnel off remote, but strategically important British Islands in the region and can be credited with arresting 60 or so men who later turned out to be CIA operatives, causing a minor political incident. The Battery was placed into suspended animation in 1969 due to the downsizing and the reduction to one Commando Artillery Regiment, having lost out to 148 Commando (AO) Battery. Many of 20 Cdo (AO) Bty’s personnel ended up in 148 Bty and as such so did much of the Bty property.
The Reformation 1989
In the late 1980’s G Troop was formed at 16 Regiment RA as an air defence troop to support 3 Commando Brigade, a result of lessons learned in the Falklands War. The Troop was formed under Capt M G Flannigan RA who had been a Bombardier in 20 Commando (AO) Battery. He was instrumental in the reanimation of the Battery with G Troop as its nucleus.Wo2 Owen Morrison was appointed as the 1st BSM. In 1991 the Battery was officially reformed as 20 Air Defence Battery RA shortly later becoming 20 Commando Battery and served as the integral air defence Battery for 3 Commando Brigade. The Battery was posted to 22 Regiment RA a couple of years after its formation and took part in a number of operations with the Brigade. This included OP PALISER (Sierra Leone) where the now WO2 Butler was responsible for the capture of a number of so called “West Side Boys”. The Battery was also involved in the initial invasion of Afghanistan.
2004 Onwards
In 2004 the decision was made by Chief of the Naval Staff that 3 Commando Brigade no longer needed an integral air defence capability and after the OP BANNER (Northern Ireland) deployment that year the Battery lost their Commando status. This coincided with the disbandment of 22 Regt RA in Kirton In Lindsey and the Battery was posted back to 16th Regiment Royal Artillery in Woolwich. At the time the Battery had the highest pass rate for the Commando Course of any other unit within the 3 Commando Brigade and had a impressive reputation for physical fitness. Those who chose not to remain with the Battery went to 21 (Parachute) Battery RA in 47 Regt RA.
The now renamed 20 Battery RA has been deployed to OP TELIC (Iraq) being the first UK unit to deploy Counter RAM and after the move of the Regiment to North Luffenham deployed to the Falkland Islands. Individuals have since been deployed to Afghanistan and a full Battery deployment is due in the near future.